Defending regional T20 champions T&T will test its readiness for the defence of its title tonight when the squad plays the Windward Islands in a warm-up clash at UTT's ground in O'Meara.
The national team has been in training for the past month for this tournament and will be looking to put its game plans into effect in this warm-up. Yesterday, the team minus Keiron Pollard and Sunil Narine went through its paces at the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Balmain, Couva, and all was well, according to manager Omar Khan.
There were two players carrying niggling injuries but they have been passed fit and will be on show at 7 pm tonight. Pacers Ravi Rampaul and Kevon Cooper the men in question were totally involved in the training session yesterday and looked untroubled. Cooper had a slight knee ligament strain for a while and his treatment is now complete. Rampaul, who will spearhead the local team's attack, had a knee problem but that is now sorted out.
Following this game the Windwards will play another warm-up game at UTT on Friday against Barbados at 2 pm. Former national player Imran Jan, who is the cricket coach at UTT was asked by the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) to organise the facility at UTT for the match.
Jan, speaking to the T&T Guardian yesterday, reported that everything was ready for the matches. "We have been working very hard up here to have the facility in great shape for the matches. Everything is ready to go but we would like to inform the public that no alcohol will be allowed into the facility for the games.
"We are very strict with this and would not tolerate anyone bringing alcohol into the venue."
Meanwhile, the tournament gets underway on Sunday at the Queen's Park Oval. There would be an official opening ceremony at 4 pm and this will be followed by the opening clash between T&T and Jamaica at 8 pm. (VM)
Teams:
T&T: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Darren Bravo (vice captain), Samuel Badree, Dwayne Bravo, Kevon Cooper, Shannon Gabriel, Jason Mohammed, Yannick Ottley, Evin Lewis, William Perkins, Ravi Rampaul, Lendl Simmons.
NB - Keiron Pollard and Sunil Narine will be in the T&T team for the tournament.
Windward Islands: Darren Sammy (captain), Miles Bascombe, Tade Carmichael, Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher, Lyndon James, Delorn Johnson, Keddy Lesporis, Garey Mathurin, Kenroy Peters, Nelon Pascal, Liam Sebastien, Shane Shillingford, Devon Smith.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE (AT QUEEN'S PARK OVAL, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad)
Sunday
Opening Ceremony – 4 pm
T&T vs Jamaica – 8 pm
Monday
Barbados vs Leewards– 4 pm
Guyana vs CCC – 8 pm
Tuesday
Jamaica vs Barbados – 4 pm
T&T vs CCC – 8 pm
Wednesday
Windwards vs Jamaica – 4 pm
T&T vs Leewards – 8 pm
Thursday
CCC vs Windwards – 4 pm
Guyana vs Barbados – 8 pm
Friday
Leewards vs Jamaica – 4 pm
CCC vs Barbados – 8 pm
Saturday
Windwards vs Leewards – 4 pm
T&T vs Guyana – 8 pm
(AT BEAUSEJOUR CRICKET GROUND, Gros Islet, St Lucia)
January 15
Guyana vs Jamaica – 4 pm
Windwards vs T&T – 8 pm
January 16
CCC vs Leewards – 4 pm
Barbados vs T&T – 8 pm
January 17
Leewards vs Guyana – 4 pm
Windwards vs Barbados – 8 pm
January 18
CCC vs Jamaica – 4 pm
Windwards vs Guyana – 8 pm
January 19
Play-off: 2nd Place vs 3rd Place – 8 pm
January 20
Grand Final: 1st Place vs Winner of Play-off – 8 pm